We are trained in museum handling and work closely with heritage professionals to ensure the safety of objects whilst they are being imaged.

Specialist photography takes place in the UCL Multi-Modal Digitisation Suite on UCL’s main campus on Gower
Street. Selected imaging can be done on location.

Spectral Imaging system, UCL Multi-Modal Digitisation Suite

Spectral Imaging

Spectral Imaging is a high-resolution, non-invasive and
non-destructive form of computational photography. Spectral Imaging
extends conventional photography from the red, green, and blue
regions of the electromagnetic spectrum to the ultraviolet and
infrared wavelengths. The acquired image set is digitally processed
to disclose features of the object that are invisible to the naked
eye in natural light. This technique can enhance faded writings,
reveal palimpsest and under-drawings, as well as aid pigments,
binders and other materials identification. Spectral imaging helps
clarify and support research, scholarly and other goals.

With our system (supplied by R. B. Toth Associates), a medium-format, 60-megapixel PhaseOne IQ260 Achromatic camera takes a series of high-quality digital images. Illumination is provided by low heat, narrowband light emitting diodes (LED) at 12 different wavelengths from ultraviolet to near infrared, with the application of a 6-position motorised filter wheel (developed and integrated by Dr. Bill Christens-Barry of Equipoise Imaging). Post-processing techniques are applied to visually enhance features of significance with outputs being customised to meet your research or other needs.

The UCL state-of-the-technology spectral imaging system can be
applied to documents and manuscripts, polychrome artworks, and a
range of archaeological and heritage objects. This powerful imaging
method offers new opportunities for cultural heritage studies into
the unique objects in museum, library and personal collections. Files
are delivered in conventional file formats (TIFF, JPEG) and therefore
do not require special software for viewing.

Reflectance Transformation Imaging

We offer both custom RTI services and training. Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), also known as Polynomial
Texture Mapping (PTM), is a high-resolution, non-invasive and
non-destructive imaging technique for documenting fine surface
details. Unlike conventional photographs, images created using the
RTI capture method can be virtually relit. The direction of the light
source can be moved around in real time to give 3D appearance to
surface shapes for systematic inspection of fine surface details.

We capture a series of photographs of an artefact or other material
surface with a high-resolution full-frame DSLR camera and macro lens,
with light systematically applied from a different position in each
shot. These multiple captures are amalgamated using mathematical
algorithms to create an image of the surface that can be virtually
relit and enhanced to reveal fine surface details. RTI data provide a
super high resolution, archival record of material surfaces.

Files are easy to view and disseminate thanks to free, open access software
that is powerful yet intuitive. In addition to virtual relighting,
visualisation is enhanced by increasing the level of zoom and
applying rendering modes that mathematically enhance surface shape
and colour attributes (e.g. specular enhancement, diffuse gain).
These enhancements disclose faint marks and surface information not
readily apparent under the conditions of first-hand observation. Such
capabilities make RTI a powerful documentation and analytical tool
for material culture while facilitating accessibility and
dissemination. We follow the RTI capture and metadata standards
established by domain leaders Cultural
Heritage Imaging (CHI).

The UCLAiC Team

Melissa Terras is Honorary Professor at UCL Centre for Digital Humanities (now Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage at the University of Edinburgh) and provides expertise in non-destructive digital imaging
technologies and computational methods to make obscured texts visible.

Dr Kathryn E. Piquette (UCL Centre for Digital Humanities and UCL Institute of Archaeology)
is responsible for providing our Reflectance Transformation Imaging and
Spectral Imaging services. Kathryn has more than six years of
experience in heritage imaging, including a wider variety of portable
and fixed museum objects, and library and archive materials. As an
Egyptologist and active field archaeologist, Kathryn understands imaging
requirements from research, conservation, teaching and general interest
perspectives, and how to combine these requirements with the
appropriate imaging solution.

Tim Weyrich is Professor of Visual Computing (UCL Computer Science) and Deputy Director of the UCL Centre for Digital Humanities. He has a long-standing track record in putting his background in appearance modelling, 3D reconstruction and multi-modal imaging to the service of computational reconstruction and analysis of heritage objects.

UCLAiC Team

Contact

We accept projects of all sizes (minimum half day) as well as run training courses. Educational rates
available. For more information or to talk to us about your ideas and
needs, please contact advancedimaging@ucl.ac.uk.

The UCL Multi-Modal Digitisation Suite is a shared facility, coordinated by UCLDH, for teaching and research in digitisation technologies. The suite is fully set up with state of the art capture for both 2D and 3D objects. These facilities are available for taught courses, and are regularly used by PhD students and researchers working in this area. More

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